New AT&T parking meters coming March 4

Start saving those quarters – metered evening parking near AT&T Park is poised to take effect on March 4, with weekday rates set at 25 cents per hour from 6 p.m. through 10 p.m.

And you’ll need more than a few quarters (credit cards are accepted too) to park on-street during games and other special events. Metered parking at that time will cost $5 to $7 an hour, depending on the proximity to the ballpark.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has added hundreds of meters around AT&T Park in recent months, all part of the agency’s experimental SFpark program. The program’s theory is that charging more for parking spots in high-demand places will deter people from driving in the area and reduce congestion.

“The evolving nature of this neighborhood compels us to implement effective strategies to ease traffic congestion and provide parking availability,” said Ed Reiskin, the SFMTA transportation director, in a statement. “Appropriately pricing parking on our public streets makes sense and supports the city’s Transit First policy, especially in this growing neighborhood that is home to AT&T Park and many special events.”

Metered parking around the park isn’t entirely new. The Port of San Francisco already charges $5 an hour for the meters it operates near the park during Giants games, and runs those meters until 11 p.m.

The new meters will impact the areas generally bounded by Bryant, King, Fifth and Second streets, and King, Seventh, Mariposa and Illinois streets.